Eating Raw Meat

"I see something going to waste here," said Rabbi Chisda when he saw a slaughtered duck lying in the sun in his courtyard. He thus communicated to his attendants to move the carcass into the shade.

A question is raised in regard to his permitting raw, unsalted meat to be handled on Shabbat for it is his position that such inedible meat is considered muktzah and cannot be moved on Shabbat. The answer given is that duck flesh is tender enough to be eaten raw and is therefore considered food which may be handled on Shabbat.

Tosefot calls attention to the problem of unsalted meat containing blood and concludes, on the basis of this gemara, that it is permissible to eat raw meat unsalted. The prohibition on eating blood that is contained in the body of an animal or fowl after it is slaughtered applies only if that blood has moved from its original source. This is why such meat must be properly salted before cooking which will cause the blood to move, a situation which does not exist when meat is eaten raw.

The Mishna on Mesechta Menachot (11:7) also mentions that there were kohanim who ate sacrificial meat raw. This position of Tosefot forms the basis of the ruling in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah (67:1) that well-rinsed (to remove surface blood) raw meat may be consumed without salting to remove the blood inside.

What the Sages Say

"Every mitzvah which Jews accepted in joy such as milah, about which King David said I rejoice in your command, is still celebrated by them with joy (with a festive meal Rashi)."

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